Patents by Inventor Ralph B. Nielsen
Ralph B. Nielsen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 6508984Abstract: A method and system for researching and developing and/or optimizing new catalysts and products in a combinatorial manner is disclosed. The method begins with starting components or a ligand library and provides methods of creating catalyst or product libraries, which are then tested in a reaction of interest. The system uses methods of robotic handling for moving libraries from station to station. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial catalyst libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental methods as well.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2000Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Howard W. Turner, Lynn VanErden, G. Cameron Dales, Adam Safir, Ralph B. Nielsen
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Patent number: 6507945Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling an automated material handling procedure. The method includes receiving a recipe file comprising component information and mapping information; interacting with a user to create a procedure for executing a set of material handling steps; and causing a automated material-handling apparatus to carry out the set of material-handling steps by executing the procedure. The mapping information relates a source component and a destination component. The mapping information defines one or more transfers of at least one source component material to at least one destination component location. The method includes providing to the user an assortment of pre-programmed code objects and receiving from the user a selection and arrangement of the pre-programmed code objects. The procedure is defined by the user's selection and arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1999Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.Inventors: William C. Rust, Ralph B. Nielsen
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Patent number: 6492184Abstract: Rapid characterization and screening of polymer samples to determine average molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and other properties is disclosed. Rapid flow characterization systems and methods, including liquid chromatography and flow-injection analysis systems and methods are preferably employed. High throughput, automated sampling systems and methods, high-temperature characterization systems and methods, and rapid, indirect calibration compositions and methods are also disclosed. The described methods, systems, and devices have primary applications in combinatorial polymer research and in industrial process control.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2001Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Miroslav Petro, Adam Safir, Ralph B. Nielsen, Thomas S. Lee
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Patent number: 6491823Abstract: Rapid characterization and screening of polymer samples to determine average molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and other properties is disclosed. Rapid flow characterization systems and methods, including liquid chromatography and flow-injection analysis systems and methods are preferably employed. High throughput, automated sampling systems and methods, high-temperature characterization systems and methods, and rapid, indirect calibration compositions and methods are also disclosed. The described methods, systems, and devices have primary applications in combinatorial polymer research and in industrial process control.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Adam Safir, Miroslav Petro, Ralph B. Nielsen, Eric Carlson
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Publication number: 20020174713Abstract: Rapid characterization and screening of polymer samples to determine average molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and other properties is disclosed. Rapid flow characterization systems and methods, including liquid chromatography and flow-injection analysis systems and methods are preferably employed. High throughput, automated sampling systems and methods, high-temperature characterization systems and methods, and rapid, indirect calibration compositions and methods are also disclosed. The described methods, systems, and devices have primary applications in combinatorial polymer research and in industrial process control.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Miroslav Petro, Adam Safir, Ralph B. Nielsen, G. Cameron Dales, Eric D. Carlson, Thomas S. Lee
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Patent number: 6485692Abstract: A method and apparatus for reacting a plurality of different mixtures in parallel in a semi-batch or continuous mode is provided. Each reaction is contained within a reactor vessel, the reactor vessels combined into a reactor block. Reactant(s) to be added during the reaction are kept in a header barrel, which has a plunger to feed reactant(s) from the header barrel through a transfer line into the reactor vessel. The plunger is moved using a drive system. The header barrels are optionally combined in a header block. The header block is sealed to a plate containing the transfer lines, which in turn is sealed to the reactor block. A latch mechanism is provided for easy sealing of the reactor and header blocks to the plate. The entire apparatus may be placed on a rocker or rotating plate for mixture as the reaction is proceeding.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1998Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.Inventors: J. Christopher Freitag, Damian Hajduk, Ralph B. Nielsen, Adam Safir, Richard Tiede
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Patent number: 6475391Abstract: A method is disclosed for characterizing a plurality of non-biological polymer samples. The method includes the steps of injecting four or more non-biological polymer samples into a mobile-phase of a liquid chromatography system, chromatographically separating at least one sample component or polymer molecule of each of the four or more injected polymer samples from other sample components or polymer molecules thereof in a chromatographic column, and serially detecting a property of the four or more non-biological polymer samples or of components or polymer molecules thereof with a flow-through detector at an average sample throughput of not more than about 10 minutes per sample.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2001Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Adam Safir, Miroslav Petro, Ralph B. Nielsen, Thomas S. Lee, Jean M. J. Fréchet
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Publication number: 20020160026Abstract: Cosmetic or personal care compositions, such as for styling hair, comprise a thermoplastic elastomer which is a block copolymer comprising a core polymer having a backbone comprising at least a proportion of C—C bonds and two or more flanking polymers. Each flanking polymer is covalently bound to an end of the core polymer and the core polymer and/or at least one of the flanking polymers is a copolymer derived from two or more monomers. The compositions comprise a cosmetically acceptable diluent or carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2001Publication date: October 31, 2002Applicant: Unilever Home & Personal Care USAInventors: Jean M.J. Frechet, Damian Hajduk, Ezat Khoshdel, Mingjun Liu, Ralph B. Nielsen, Euan Stuart Reid, Keith Leslie Rutherford
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Publication number: 20020159965Abstract: Cosmetic or personal care compositions, such as for styling hair, comprise a thermoplastic elastomer which is a block copolymer comprising a core polymer having a backbone comprising at least a proportion of C—C bonds and two or more flanking polymers. Each flanking polymer is covalently bound to an end of the core polymer and the copolymer is soluble at a level of at least 1% by weight in water at 25° C. The compositions comprise a cosmetically acceptable diluent or carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2001Publication date: October 31, 2002Applicant: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco Inc.Inventors: Jean M.J. Frechet, Damian Hajduk, Ezat Khoshdel, Mingjun Liu, Ralph B. Nielsen, Euan Stuart Reid, Keith Leslie Rutherford
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Patent number: 6472486Abstract: Controlled stable free radical emulsion polymerization processes employ nitroxide control agents having an alpha carbon atom bearing a destabilizing substituent such as hydrogen. The emulsion polymerizations have living characteristics, including the re-initiation of polymer chains, and provide a high degree of control over molecular weight, particle size, polydispersity and polymer composition and architecture. The processes are useful for the preparation of polymer emulsions, including block copolymers, star and graft copolymers, telechelics and macromonomers from a wide range of monomers.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1999Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gerrit Klaerner, Adam Safir, Ralph B. Nielsen, Bernd Jandeleit, Peter Huefner
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Publication number: 20020155036Abstract: An apparatus and method for carrying out and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions is disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2002Publication date: October 24, 2002Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Damian A. Hajduk, Ralph B. Nielsen, Adam Safir, Leonid Matsiev, Eric McFarland, Paul Mansky
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Patent number: 6461515Abstract: A method is disclosed for characterizing non-biological polymers using liquid chromatography that is particularly useful in polymer research programs. The method includes the steps of providing a library of four or more non-biological polymer samples, with each of the four or more polymer samples being polymerization product mixtures that result from polymerization reactions that are varied with respect to a factor affecting polymerization. Each of the four or more polymer samples resides in the reaction vessel in which they were formed.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Adam Safir, Miroslav Petro, Ralph B. Nielsen
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Patent number: 6455316Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions are disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel, and a system for injecting liquids into the vessels at a pressure different than ambient pressure. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Howard Turner, G. Cameron Dales, Lynn VanErden, Johannes A. M. VanBeek, Damian A. Hajduk, Ralph B. Nielsen, Paul Mansky, Leonid Matsiev, Pei Wang, Eric McFarland
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Patent number: 6454947Abstract: A method is disclosed for characterizing a plurality of non-biological polymer samples. The method includes the steps of injecting a first non-biological polymer sample into a mobile-phase of a liquid chromatography system, chromatographically separating at least one sample component of the injected first sample from other sample components thereof in a chromatographic column, detecting at least one property of the separated sample component of the first sample, injecting a second non-biological polymer sample into the mobile-phase of the liquid chromatography system while advancing the first sample to the chromatographic column, chromatographically separating at least one sample component of the injected second sample from other sample components thereof, and detecting at least one property of the separated sample component of the second sample.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Adam Safir, Miroslav Petro, Ralph B. Nielsen, Eric Carlson
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Patent number: 6406632Abstract: Rapid characterization and screening of polymer samples to determine average molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and other properties is disclosed. Rapid flow characterization systems and methods, including liquid chromatography and flow-injection analysis systems and methods are preferably employed. High throughput, automated sampling systems and methods, high-temperature characterization systems and methods, and rapid, indirect calibration compositions and methods are also disclosed. The described methods, systems, and devices have primary applications in combinatorial polymer research and in industrial process control.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2000Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Adam Safir, Miroslav Petro, Ralph B. Nielsen, Thomas S. Lee, Jean M. J. Fréchet
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Publication number: 20020061988Abstract: Controlled stable free radical emulsion polymerization processes employ nitroxide control agents having an alpha carbon atom bearing a destabilizing substituent such as hydrogen. The emulsion polymerizations have living characteristics, including the re-initiation of polymer chains, and provide a high degree of control over molecular weight, particle size, polydispersity and polymer composition and architecture. The processes are useful for the preparation of polymer emulsions, including block copolymers, star and graft copolymers, telechelics and macromonomers from a wide range of monomers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 1999Publication date: May 23, 2002Inventors: GERRIT KLAERNER, ADAM SAFIR, RALPH B. NIELSEN, BERND JANDELEIT, PETER HUEFNER
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Patent number: 6345528Abstract: Rapid characterization and screening of polymer samples to determine average molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and other properties is disclosed. Rapid flow characterization systems and methods, including liquid chromatography and flow-injection analysis systems and methods are preferably employed. High throughput, automated sampling systems and methods, high-temperature characterization systems and methods, and rapid, indirect calibration compositions and methods are also disclosed. The described methods, systems, and devices have primary applications in combinatorial polymer research and in industrial process control.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2001Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Miroslav Petro, Adam Safir, Ralph B. Nielsen, Eric D. Carlson
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Publication number: 20020013430Abstract: Nitroxides having an alpha-carbon atom with a destabilizing moiety are effective control agents for emulsion and water-based polymerizations, including the formation of block copolymers from a wide range of monomers. The nitroxide radicals may be used as a free radical or as an adduct with a residue from the initiator. The emulsions have living characteristics, including the re-initiation of polymer chains. Also, a seeded process for emulsions, which includes the step-wise addition of monomer is disclosed, providing access to a wide range of initiator types.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2000Publication date: January 31, 2002Inventors: Gerrit Klaerner, Adam Safir, Ralph B. Nielsen, Bernd Jandeleit, Peter Huefner, Yunxiao Li
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Publication number: 20020010267Abstract: Block copolymers are disclosed having at least one polymer segment characterized by a high degree of control over molecular weight, particle size, polydispersity and polymer composition and architecture. The block copolymers feature at least on polymer segment produced using a controlled free radical polymerization process in an emulsion. Additional polymer segments can be generated using the controlled free radical emulsion process or any other polymerization process. The block copolymers include polymers having unique structure, such as stars, grafts, telechelics and macromonomers. Block copolymers having hard/soft and amphiphilic characteristics are also disclosed. The block copolymers may also include adducts with nitroxide control agents capable of free radical re-initiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 1999Publication date: January 24, 2002Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporationInventors: GERRIT KLAERNER, ADAM SAFIR, RALPH B. NIELSEN, BERND JANDELEIT, PETER HUEFNER
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Publication number: 20020001538Abstract: An apparatus and method for carrying out and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions is disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 1998Publication date: January 3, 2002Inventors: DAMIAN A. HAJDUK, RALPH B. NIELSEN, ADAM SAFIR